Cushioning divider

ABSTRACT

A divider is formed by alternately slotting the edges and the center portion of the rectangular blank of corrugated paperboard or the like along parallel lines, and providing fold lines in alignment with slots.

Sept. 4, 1973 m w W e N 9 4 W W CUSHIONING DIVIDER 4/ 1952 Bergstein [75] Inventor: Dennis Oostdik, Milwaukee, Wis.

7/1966 Foley l/l967 Wohl Assignee: Hoerner Waldorf Corporation,

Ramsey County, Minn.

June 12, 1972 [22] Filed:

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U mm .1 ,1] 2 8 5 55 [i rugated paperboard or the like along parallel lines, and r [56] References Cited providing fold lines in alignment with slots.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,085 4/1939 Bergstein 229/28 R X 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CUSHIONING DIVIDER This invention relates to an improvement in a cush-. ioning divider and deals particularly with a one piece divider which may be used to separate a plurality of fragile articles such as bottles, jars or the like, from direct contact with one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Dividers are commonly provided for holding bottles, jars or the like .in spaced relation. These dividers normally comprise one or more divider elements extending longitudinally of the outer continer, and one or more transverse divider members intersecting the longitudinal divider and extending to the side walls. Normally more than one longitudinal divider, and more than one transverse divider are provided in order to hold the structure in rectangular relationship. The intersecting dividers are usually slotted at the point of their intersection so that the two divider members may intersect to form a structure of uniform height.

One piece dividers have also been produced. These are usually in the form of bottle carriers and the like in which the partitions are integral with the walls of the container, or hingedly attached thereto by means of adhesive or the like. The present unitary divider comprises a one piece blank which is suitably slotted and creased so that when expanded, it may be folded to form cells for containing the various objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present divider is designed for use in a generally rectangular outer container, and serves to divide the interior of the container into a plurality of cells. In the specific instance illustrated, the divider is designed to form individual cells or compartments. Obviously, the divider may be increased or decreased in length to provide a greater or lesser number of sections to form a greater or lesser number of cells.

The present divider is formed of an elongated strip of corrugated paperboard or the like which is divided into five areas by parallel fold lines extending longitudinally of the strip, the fold lines being equally spaced apart, and equally spaced from the longitudinal edges of the blank. The strip is also divided into a series of equal sections, the number of sections being in multiples of two. In other words four such other sections would be the minimum number. practicle, and the divider is shown having six such sections. Eight or 10 such sections or a greater number if desired may be provided.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specifications and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rectangular container with my cushioning divider in place therein spacing the contents.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the divider as it would appear when in place within the container.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the divider is formed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the divider in a 'partially folded form.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the center of the closed container, the position of the section being indicated by the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, the contents being omitted to better shown the divider construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The divider is shown in its blank form in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The divider A includes a blank 10 having parallel side edges 11, and parallel end edges 12. Four being equal to the distance between the inner fold lines 14, and between each outer fold line 13 and to the adjoining fold line 14.

The blank 10 is also divided by transversely extending means into six sections of equal area. Slots 15 extend into the blank from opposite edges 11 and in right angular relations thereto, the slots 15 extending to the inner fold lines 16. A fold line 16 extends across the area between the fold lines 14 and aligned with the opposed slots 15.

For the purpose of description, the areas between each fold line 13 and the adjacent longitudinal blank edge 11 may be termed outer divider panel areas 17. The areas of the blank between the outer fold lines 13 and the adjoining inner fold lines 14 may be considered intermediate divider panel area 19. The area between the spaced fold lines 14 may be considered central divider panel areas 20. As will be described, the areas 17, 19 and 20 are divided into divider panels as will be described.

A slot 21 extends transversely of the blank and extends from one fold line 13 to the other. Fold lines 22 extend across the outer areas 17 in alignment with the slot 21.

This slot arrangement is alternated throughout the length of the blank. As indicated, slots 23 extend transversely into the longitudinal edges of the blank terminating at the fold lines 14. A fold line 24 extends across the central partition panel area 20 in alignment with the slots 23.

A second slot structure is provided similar to that provided by the slot 21 and fold lines 22. A slot 25 extends transversely of the blank between the fold lines 13, and the fold lines 26 extend in alignment with the slot 25 to the longitudinal edges 11 of the blank.

A third slot structure is provided similar to that provided by the slots 15 and fold linel6, and the slots 23 and fold line 24. Aligned slots 27 extend into the blank to terminate at the fold lines 14, and a fold line 29 extends across the central partition panel area 20 connecting the slots 27. The blank is thus divided throughout its length into equal area sections by the spaced slot and fold line structures. By way of explanation, it may be stated that the portions of the fold lines 13 which are indicated at 30 between the slots 15 and the end 12 of the blank may be eliminated, and the portions 31 of the fold lines 13 which are between the slots 27 and the adjoining end of the blank may be eliminated, as they serve no useful purpose. However, from a standpoint of manufacture, it is usually simpler to extend the fold lines 13 throughout the entire length of the blank.

ln forming the divider, the blank is usually first folded I in accordion fashion as indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, until the various sections between the slot structures described are in face contact. FIG. 4 of the drawings shows the blank in partially folded form in order to illustrate the manner in which the folding is accomplished. By spreading apart the central partition panel area 20 on opposite sides of the slots 21 and 25, a pair of hexagonal cells 32 may be produced. When in this position, the areas 17 of the blank form outer divider panels which are connected along their upper edges. The area 20 of the blank between the fold lines 14 provide central partition panels which are hingedly connected along their lower edges. The areas 19 between each fold line 13 and the adjoining or nearest fold line 14 form intermediate partition panels which extend diagonally from the outer partition panels to the central partition panels. FIG. 1 of the drawings shows the completed partition in place within an outer container B. FIG. 2 of the drawings shows the divider in inverted position relative to FIG. 1. In the description and claims, the application has described the outer divider panels as being connected along the fold lines 22 and 26 or along their upper edges, while the central divider panels are described as being foldably connected along the fold lines 16, 24 and 29 along their lower edges. The terms upper and lower is merely for the purpose of reference, as the divider functions as effectively in the position shown in FIG. 1 as in a position shown in FIG. 2.

When the divideris inserted into the container B, the specific divider illustrated provides cells for receiving the contents C which are shown in the form of cylindrical jars. As indicated, the container B includes side walls such as 33, and end walls such as 34. The bottom of the container is not specifically illustrated, but is usually formed by side wall closure flaps 35 hinged to the lower edges of the side walls and end wall closure flaps 36 hinged to the lower edges of the end walls 34. In other words, the bottom of the container is normally similar to the top and is formed by similar closure flaps.

The width of the blank 10 is normally greater than the width of the container end walls 34, so that the divider is held in folded position by engagement of the outer divider panels with the side walls 33 of the container. As will be noted in FIG. 1, the areas of the blank which are between the slots and blank end 12, and between the slots 27 and the other end 12 of the blank extend diagonally generally toward the comers of the container B. Thus in addition to the hexagonal central cells 32, a pair of cells 37 are provided between the central portion of the divider and the container walls 33. A pair of trapezoidal cells 39 are provided between opposite end portions of the divider and the end walls 34. Corner cells 40 are provided near the four comers of the containers B. The arrangement is such that the divider supports four aligned containers C longitudinally of the center of the container, and supports three such containers outwardly of the intermediate four containers forming the center row. As previously indicated, by increasing the length of the blank 10 and forming additional sections, additional cells may be provided.

In accordance with the Patent Statutes I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in CUSHIONING DIVIDER; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 I claim:

l. A divider blank including an elongated generally rectangular strip of material having a series of four parallel fold lines extending longitudinally thereof, dividing the strip into five areas, inwardly extending aligned slots extending into said strip at right angles to said fold lines and terminating at the inner two of said fold lines, and connected by aligned fold lines, and alternate slots extending across the two inner parallel fold lines and terminating at the outermost of said parallel fold lines, and fold lines aligned with said alternate slots and extending to the longitudinal edges of said strip.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the outermost of said four parallel fold lines terminate at the outermost pair of inwardly extending aligned slots.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which the distance between each pair of inwardly extending slots and adjoining alternate slots is substantially equal.

4. A cushioning divider adapted for use in combination with a rectangular container including rectangularly arranged side and end walls, and a bottom closure connected thereto, the divider including:

a series of spaced central dividers each comprising a pair of contiguous central divider panels hingedly connected along their upper edges,

an intermediate divider panel hingedly connected to each of the side edges of each of said central divider panels and extending diagonally relative thereto,

an outer divider panel hingedly connected to the outer edge of each of said intermediate divider panels,

said outer divider panels connected to adjoining converging intermediate divider panels being substantially in face contact and hingedly connected along their lower edges, whereby,

one central divider panel and the intermediate divider panels hingedly connected thereto of one central divider combine with a central divider panel and the intermediate divider panels hingedly connected thereto of an adjoining central divider define a substantially hexagonal cell therebetween.

5. The structure of claim 4 and in which said hingedly connected outer divider panels which are in face contact extend generally parallel to said central divider panels to form cells defined by said spaced outwardly extending outer divider panels and a pair of diagonally extending intermediate divider panels.

6. The structure of claim 4 and in which the intermediate divider panels of the outermost central divider panels of the series of central dividers, and the outer divider panels connected thereto comprise unitary pan-' els in a common plane.

7. A cushioning divider in combination with a rectangular container including rectangularly arranged side and end walls, and a bottom closure connected thereto, the divider including:

a series of spaced central dividers each including a pair of contiguous central divider panels hingedly connected along their upper edges,

an intermediate divider panel hingedly connected to each of the side edges of each of said central divider panels with the exception of the outermost central divider panels of the series, the intermediate divider panels of adjoining spaced central dividers converging together to form, with the central divider panels to which they are connected, substantially hexagonal cells,

diagonally extending panels hingedly connected to the edges of the outermost central divider panels of said series and extending diagonally into engagement with said end walls of said container.

8. The structure of claim 7 and in which the diagonally extending panels are equal in length to the combined widths of an intermediate divider panel and an outer divider panel. 

1. A divider blank including an elongated generally rectangular strip of material having a series of four parallel fold lines extending longitudinally thereof, dividing the strip into five areas, inwardly extending aligned slots extending into said strip at right angles to said fold lines and terminating at the inner two of said fold lines, and connected by aligned fold lines, and alternate slots extending across the two inner parallel fold lines and terminating at the outermost of said parallel fold lines, and fold lines aligned with said alternate slots and extending to the longitudinal edges of said strip.
 2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the outermost of said four parallel fold lines terminate at the outermost pair of inwardly extending aligned slots.
 3. The structure of claim 1 and in which the distance between each pair of inwardly extending slots and adjoining alternate slots is substantially equal.
 4. A cushioning divider adapted for use in combination with a rectangular container including rectangularly arranged side and end walls, and a bottom closure connected thereto, the divider including: a series of spaced central dividErs each comprising a pair of contiguous central divider panels hingedly connected along their upper edges, an intermediate divider panel hingedly connected to each of the side edges of each of said central divider panels and extending diagonally relative thereto, an outer divider panel hingedly connected to the outer edge of each of said intermediate divider panels, said outer divider panels connected to adjoining converging intermediate divider panels being substantially in face contact and hingedly connected along their lower edges, whereby, one central divider panel and the intermediate divider panels hingedly connected thereto of one central divider combine with a central divider panel and the intermediate divider panels hingedly connected thereto of an adjoining central divider define a substantially hexagonal cell therebetween.
 5. The structure of claim 4 and in which said hingedly connected outer divider panels which are in face contact extend generally parallel to said central divider panels to form cells defined by said spaced outwardly extending outer divider panels and a pair of diagonally extending intermediate divider panels.
 6. The structure of claim 4 and in which the intermediate divider panels of the outermost central divider panels of the series of central dividers, and the outer divider panels connected thereto comprise unitary panels in a common plane.
 7. A cushioning divider in combination with a rectangular container including rectangularly arranged side and end walls, and a bottom closure connected thereto, the divider including: a series of spaced central dividers each including a pair of contiguous central divider panels hingedly connected along their upper edges, an intermediate divider panel hingedly connected to each of the side edges of each of said central divider panels with the exception of the outermost central divider panels of the series, the intermediate divider panels of adjoining spaced central dividers converging together to form, with the central divider panels to which they are connected, substantially hexagonal cells, an outer divider panel hingedly connected to each of said intermediate divider panels and extending outwardly from the area of convergence of said intermediate divider panels, the adjoining outer divider panels being substantially in face contact and hingedly connected together along their lower edges, said outer divider panels extending into contact with the side walls of said container, and diagonally extending panels hingedly connected to the edges of the outermost central divider panels of said series and extending diagonally into engagement with said end walls of said container.
 8. The structure of claim 7 and in which the diagonally extending panels are equal in length to the combined widths of an intermediate divider panel and an outer divider panel. 